Ekiti Lawmakers Incur Fayose’s Wrath For Meeting With Opponents

Ekiti State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Olusegun Adewumi and Information Committee Chairman Gboyega Aribisogan may have run into trouble for allegedly meeting with those perceived as enemies of Governor Ayo Fayose, it was learnt yesterday. They were accused of meeting with Senator Buruji Kashamu, former Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretary Temitope Aluko,…”

Ekiti State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Olusegun Adewumi and Information Committee Chairman Gboyega Aribisogan may have run into trouble for allegedly meeting with those perceived as enemies of Governor Ayo Fayose, it was learnt yesterday.

They were accused of meeting with Senator Buruji Kashamu, former Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretary Temitope Aluko, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, activist, lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and a new entrant into Ekiti All Progressives Congress (APC) Yinka Akerele last Saturday in Lagos.

Adewumi, who represents Ekiti West Constituency I, was said to have been impeached on Fayose’s alleged order at plenary and replaced with Ekundayo Akinleye representing Ijero Constituency.

Aribisogan, who represents Ikole Constituency I, was said to have been suspended at the session.

The plenary was yet to hold by noon when reporters visited the assembly, but the lawmakers led by Speaker Kola Oluwawole, were said to be meeting with Fayose at press time.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti is polarised. The faction loyal to Fayose has Gboyega Oguntuase as chairman; the other faction loyal to Kashamu is led by Williams Ajayi.

Fayose and Kashamu, who used to be allies are now battling for PDP soul in the Southwest. Adewumi could not be reached for comment but Aribisogan denied being suspended.

Aribisogan, who spoke on phone, claimed that he was in Abuja. He said he had not committed any offence to warrant suspension.

Speaker Oluwawole debunked insinuations of a leadership crisis in the Assembly, saying whatever might have happened at plenary was a “family affair.”

Oluwawole said: “Nothing of such happened. I am not aware of any impeachment or suspension plot. The Deputy Speaker is still there as my deputy.